Foreign workers transported in lorry drenched by rain: 'We can do anything for our family'
A video of two migrant workers sitting in the back of a moving lorry, taken from inside the vehicle on a rainy day, has sparked a lively discussion about hardship.
The 13-second clip, shared by Facebook user Monir 2.1 on Feb 23 and captioned "A life of suffering", shows one worker looking wistfully out of the lorry as rain splatters into the uncovered cargo hold, while another worker appears pensive.
The post has amassed at least 339,000 views, 1,900 reactions and 231 comments.
Some netizens were worried about the workers getting wet in the rain, while others thought it was the workers' choice to leave the rear of the lorry open.
"When the side canvas is down, the workers complain (it's) very stuffy inside. So sometimes they prefer this way. Speak from my life experience. I sat at the back of the lorry too many times with other workers," said a netizen.
'How do you know it is a life of suffering?'
Some disagreed that it was a life of suffering. "I (don't) see suffering, you have a job in Singapore and you are able person so what's there to suffer? Why not go back to your country with no work and that's real suffering," said a commenter.
One was even certain the workers were enjoying the weather: "Nobody is suffering. Maybe (you're) the only one suffering. They are actually enjoying the cool breeze."
Several foreign workers chimed in. "We do not make any complaint against Singapore. We are foreigners, we come to earn money only, to support our family. Keep your prayers for us," said one.
Another said: "We are people from a poor country. We don't feel pain, and we don't get sick. We can do anything for our family."
Several Singaporeans expressed gratitude to foreign workers in general. "Take care, all workers who work in Singapore. Love you guys working so hard for us," said one.
Since the 2000s, there has been a longstanding debate about the safety of ferrying workers in the back of lorries, following multiple accidents. In January, 13 people were taken to hospital after an accident involving a lorry and a car in Orchard Road.
Last February, then Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor told Parliament that banning the practice of transporting workers in the back of lorries is "not practical", as doing so may spell the end for some micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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